Republic FC Academy Reaches New Heights
Sacramento Republic FC’s Academy had a standout inaugural year during the 2015-2016 U.S. Soccer Developmental Academy season. The first season saw several players called up to national team youth ranks and an expansion to include U-12 and U-13 ranks in the 2016-2017 season. The Academy U-15/16s and U-17/18s also reached the playoffs in their first season in the USSDA and several U-17/18 players committed to D1 universities to continue their education and play collegiate soccer.
All three Sacramento Republic FC Academy teams—which compete at the U-13/14, U-14/16 and U-17/18 age groups respectively—headed to Frisco, Texas, for the U.S. Development Academy Playoffs and National Showcase after a stellar inaugural season in the Western Conference Northwest Division.
In the U-15/16s group, Republic FC U-15/16s faced Real So Cal, Montreal Impact FC and Crew SC Academy Wolves. Republic FC dropped their first match to Crew SC Academy Wolves, but recovered to defeat Montreal Impact FC 2-0 with goals from Shaft Brewer Jr. and Oscar Govea. In their last match, Republic FC tied 1-1 with eventual group winners Real So Cal. While the U-15/16s did not advance to the knockout stage, they finished second in their group, an impressive feat for a first-year team.
In the group stages, Republic FC U-17/18s also faced a tough test, with their group featuring the fourth highest ranked team in the country in their age division, the New York Redbulls Academy. Republic FC U-17/18s defeated both Sockers FC U-17/18s and Pateadores U-17/18s before earning a draw against their New York Redbulls counterparts.
Republic FC Academy Reaches New Heights
Sacramento Republic FC’s Academy had a standout inaugural year during the 2015-2016 U.S. Soccer Developmental Academy season. The first season saw several players called up to national team youth ranks and an expansion to include U-12 and U-13 ranks in the 2016-2017 season. The Academy U-15/16s and U-17/18s also reached the playoffs in their first season in the USSDA and several U-17/18 players committed to D1 universities to continue their education and play collegiate soccer.
All three Sacramento Republic FC Academy teams—which compete at the U-13/14, U-14/16 and U-17/18 age groups respectively—headed to Frisco, Texas, for the U.S. Development Academy Playoffs and National Showcase after a stellar inaugural season in the Western Conference Northwest Division.
In the U-15/16s group, Republic FC U-15/16s faced Real So Cal, Montreal Impact FC and Crew SC Academy Wolves. Republic FC dropped their first match to Crew SC Academy Wolves, but recovered to defeat Montreal Impact FC 2-0 with goals from Shaft Brewer Jr. and Oscar Govea. In their last match, Republic FC tied 1-1 with eventual group winners Real So Cal. While the U-15/16s did not advance to the knockout stage, they finished second in their group, an impressive feat for a first-year team.
In the group stages, Republic FC U-17/18s also faced a tough test, with their group featuring the fourth highest ranked team in the country in their age division, the New York Redbulls Academy. Republic FC U-17/18s defeated both Sockers FC U-17/18s and Pateadores U-17/18s before earning a draw against their New York Redbulls counterparts.
With the draw, Republic FC clinched the top spot in the group and advanced to quarterfinals, where the U-17/18s fell to the Vancouver Whitecaps FC U-17/18s. Despite the defeat, the overall season ended on a high note for the Academy. The program surpassed expectations by emerging out of the knockout round of playoffs and having almost a dozen players called up to a national youth team throughout 2016.
Recently, Republic FC Academy U-15/16 defender Edward Berumen became the ninth Republic FC Academy player to be called up to the U.S. National Youth Teams ranks since the inception of the Republic FC Academy. Republic FC Academy U-17/18 forward Alexis Dionicio was called up to the U.S. U-19 MNT in September, while Republic FC Academy U-13 goalkeeper Gavin Krenecki and midfielder Dominic Vegaalban were called up to the U.S. U-14s in November. U-17/18 goalkeeper Cameron Douglas, who has represented the U.S. several times since joining Republic FC’s Academy, received his most recent call-up in August with the U.S. U-18 MNT.
Last season, Academy alumni Nabilai Kibunguchy and David Burns were called up to the U.S. U-19 and U-20 Men’s National Teams, respectively. Current Republic FC U-17/18 goalkeeper Cameron Douglas was called up to the U.S. U-18s, while Republic FC U-15/16 midfielder Nicholas Hategan was called up to the U.S. U-16s. Forward Shaft Brewer was also called up to the U.S. U-18s during his time at the Republic FC Academy.
Two Republic FC Academy players have also been called-up to two other national youth teams. Republic FC Academy alumni Mackenzie Harrington was called up to the Canadian Youth National Team, while current U-14 midfielder Graysen Garber has been called up to the Guam Youth National Team.
Aside from national team call-ups, eight Republic FC Academy alumni have gone on to play collegiate soccer, all in D1 programs.
Defenders Samuel Dadzie, Burns, Harrington and Kibunguchy are heading to Cal State Northridge, UC Berkeley, Sacramento State and UC Davis, respectively. Midfielder Will DuBay will suit up for Loyola Marymount University, while fellow midfielder Jeff Dukes will play at San Jose State. The lone forward in the group, Joseph Restani, will play at Saint Mary’s College.
With the draw, Republic FC clinched the top spot in the group and advanced to quarterfinals, where the U-17/18s fell to the Vancouver Whitecaps FC U-17/18s. Despite the defeat, the overall season ended on a high note for the Academy. The program surpassed expectations by emerging out of the knockout round of playoffs and having almost a dozen players called up to a national youth team throughout 2016.
Recently, Republic FC Academy U-15/16 defender Edward Berumen became the ninth Republic FC Academy player to be called up to the U.S. National Youth Teams ranks since the inception of the Republic FC Academy. Republic FC Academy U-17/18 forward Alexis Dionicio was called up to the U.S. U-19 MNT in September, while Republic FC Academy U-13 goalkeeper Gavin Krenecki and midfielder Dominic Vegaalban were called up to the U.S. U-14s in November. U-17/18 goalkeeper Cameron Douglas, who has represented the U.S. several times since joining Republic FC’s Academy, received his most recent call-up in August with the U.S. U-18 MNT.
Last season, Academy alumni Nabilai Kibunguchy and David Burns were called up to the U.S. U-19 and U-20 Men’s National Teams, respectively. Current Republic FC U-17/18 goalkeeper Cameron Douglas was called up to the U.S. U-18s, while Republic FC U-15/16 midfielder Nicholas Hategan was called up to the U.S. U-16s. Forward Shaft Brewer was also called up to the U.S. U-18s during his time at the Republic FC Academy.
Two Republic FC Academy players have also been called-up to two other national youth teams. Republic FC Academy alumni Mackenzie Harrington was called up to the Canadian Youth National Team, while current U-14 midfielder Graysen Garber has been called up to the Guam Youth National Team.
Aside from national team call-ups, eight Republic FC Academy alumni have gone on to play collegiate soccer, all in D1 programs.
Defenders Samuel Dadzie, Burns, Harrington and Kibunguchy are heading to Cal State Northridge, UC Berkeley, Sacramento State and UC Davis, respectively. Midfielder Will DuBay will suit up for Loyola Marymount University, while fellow midfielder Jeff Dukes will play at San Jose State. The lone forward in the group, Joseph Restani, will play at Saint Mary’s College.
Defender Heriberto Melgoza, who served as U-17/18 Academy captain during the 2016-2017 season, attended UC Davis while playing in the Academy, putting off collegiate soccer in order to be eligible to participate in the program. This season, the 19-year-old defender will finally made the transition to the college pitch, after transferring from UC Davis to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo to play with the Mustangs.
The current season saw the addition of a U-13 and two U-12 Academy teams, for a total of six Republic FC Academy teams. The expansion to incorporate these younger age groups is designed to provide a training environment to enhance player development at a critical age. At the youngest level, U-12 players play with small-sides and with new regulations on heading the ball to improve player safety and technical development.
Republic FC’s U-15/16s are currently in first place on the U.S. Soccer Development Academy Northwest Division standings, three points above Vancouver Whitecaps FC U-15/16 and eleven above third-placed Crossfire Premier. Republic FC Academy U-15/16 and U-17/18 teams resume play on Jan. 14 when they travel to Oak Park, Calif. to take on their Real So Cal counterparts at Oak Park High School.
The U-12s, U-13s and U-14s resume their the 2016-2017 on Feb. 4 when they face their Placer United SC counterparts. The U-12s will play at Cirby Elementary in Roseville. Kickoff will 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. The U-13s and U-14s will play at Del Oro High School, kicking off at 6:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., respectively.
Defender Heriberto Melgoza, who served as U-17/18 Academy captain during the 2016-2017 season, attended UC Davis while playing in the Academy, putting off collegiate soccer in order to be eligible to participate in the program. This season, the 19-year-old defender will finally made the transition to the college pitch, after transferring from UC Davis to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo to play with the Mustangs.
The current season saw the addition of a U-13 and two U-12 Academy teams, for a total of six Republic FC Academy teams. The expansion to incorporate these younger age groups is designed to provide a training environment to enhance player development at a critical age. At the youngest level, U-12 players play with small-sides and with new regulations on heading the ball to improve player safety and technical development.
Republic FC’s U-15/16s are currently in first place on the U.S. Soccer Development Academy Northwest Division standings, three points above Vancouver Whitecaps FC U-15/16 and eleven above third-placed Crossfire Premier. Republic FC Academy U-15/16 and U-17/18 teams resume play on Jan. 14 when they travel to Oak Park, Calif. to take on their Real So Cal counterparts at Oak Park High School.
The U-12s, U-13s and U-14s resume their the 2016-2017 on Feb. 4 when they face their Placer United SC counterparts. The U-12s will play at Cirby Elementary in Roseville. Kickoff will 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. The U-13s and U-14s will play at Del Oro High School, kicking off at 6:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., respectively.
